Holy Week blessings

I thank God for the opportunities for the variety of partnerships given First Trinity this Holy Week.

This past week we worshipped Maundy Thursday with First Church taking the lead in a moving Tenebrae service. It was wonderful sharing the elements with a circle with people from First Trinity, St. Matthews and First Church, and then watching the gradual extinguishing of light during a series of readings of the Passion story.

Good Friday services were held at Our Redeemers, which was our first time there, and was a truly wonderful experience, shared with 12 others from First Trinity. Pastor Wendy's sermon was simply outstanding. The music and the space were great and Our Redeemers has a pastor and congregation I hope to know better in the future. It was really nice to see Pastors Tom, Wendy and Phil all at both services. It was also great to meet Pastor Phil's wife Karen, as they rarely get to worship together because she works for a church in Baltimore. It was very powerful to share the peace by sharing "Christ died for you" and replying "And also for you."

Easter worship with St. Matthews and First Trinity was incredible. Pastor Phil's friend Pastor Grover helping the children find the Alleluias, the glorious professional sounding music, the full pews, Pastor Tom's memorable sermon, "Sucked In , Washed Up, Blown Over ." It was a morning of celebration, ending with the Pancake brunch prepared by First Church.

First Trinity's life has been powerfully enriched by the partnerships with which we have been blessed, with both First Church and St. Matthews, as well as Our Redeemers and St. Paul's with whom we share mission trips. We need to both take full advantage of the richness of these partnerships and see where God is leading us.

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!